'Les Miserables' held over for two performances

Published 7:00 pm, Thursday, March 19, 2009

More than 7,000 loaves of bread have been stolen on a Broadway stage since 1980, the year the French version of Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables" opened at the Palais des Sports in Paris.

The verdict remains the same. Neither Jean Valjean nor his doggedly determined adversary Javert can escape the fate set in motion by the stealing of a single loaf of bread. One will die in peace. The other will die by his own hand unable to accept redemption on anyone's terms but his own.

Set in early 19th century France (1815 to about 1832) after the French Revolution (1789-1799), this tragic tale of redemption and loss seemed unlikely material for an award-winning Broadway musical. Of course, in the world of theater, almost anything is possible. Following its popularity on Broadway and on tour, the musical was opened to community theaters with Midland Community Theatre being among the first to produce the show.

"They actually did it in Hawaii before, but we're the first (community theater) to do it in the continental United States," said Tim Jebsen, MCT executive director and director for this production.

MCT's production has experienced sold-out audiences and has now been held over for two performances - 8 p.m. today and Saturday. For reservations, call 570-4111. The production marks a first for MCT.

"The audience response has been tremendous," Jebsen said. "We've had people come back for a second or third time to see the show. Basically demand necessitated us adding an extra weekend. This past weekend we actually had to turn people away we had so many people waiting at the door for tickets. So that's why we needed more shows."

This weekend is different, Jebsen said. "I think if anybody comes down to the theater this weekend, because of spring break, they will get in. So come on down."

Based on the 1862 novel "Les Miserables" by French author Victor Hugo, the musical, which is almsot entirely sung, was composed in 1980 by Claude-Michel Schonberg with a libretto by Alain Boublil.

In 1982, Cameron Machintosh was approached about producing an English version. The Broadway production opened March 12, 1987, and was nominated for 12 Tony awards, winning eight including best musical and best original score. The show ran until May 18, 2003, and is the third longest running Broadway show to date. The Broadway revival closed on Jan. 6, 2008. Combined with the original production's 6,680 performances, "Les Miserables" has played 7,176 performances on Broadway. This number does not include the 17 years and 7,061 performances of the U.S. Broadway touring production.

"It's classic," said Emily Griffin, who made her MCT debut in "Les Miserables" as Cosette, the daughter of Fantine and Valjean's adopted daughter. "You're talking about one of the best musicals of all time. … It's a fight between good and evil."